Bill Threatens Weekly Day of Safe Hiking During Hunting Seasons
Senate Bill 699, which would allow hunting on Sundays in season, has been passed by the NJ Senate Energy and Environment Committee for consideration by the full Senate.
Under current law hunting is always banned on Sundays, providing a safe haven for recreationalists such as hikers. If we want to protect our right to hike safely at least one day a week during hunting seasons, it is critical that we take action against this bill.
Below are resources to help you make a difference. Be sure to contact your local state Senator using the talking points below, and pass the word on to any other hikers you know.
Click here to view the bill (PDF)
Suggested Talking Points for Hikers
- Eliminating Sunday as a hunting-free day caters to a small group of outdoor recreationalists while jeopardizing the enjoyment and safety of the rest of the outdoor community.
- As a hiker, I deserve the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors without the sound of gunfire and the risk of being shot. I also advocate on behalf of the bird watchers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and other outdoor recreationalists who would have their only safe opportunity to hike in the woods eliminated by this proposed bill.
- Please keep the ban on Sunday hunting so that all New Jersey residents have at least one day a week during hunting season to access the outdoors in a safe, enjoyable manner.
Make your views known.
Click here to find the Senator and Assemblyman for your district and contact them in opposition to this bill using the talking points above:
Contact the bill's sponsor, Senator Joseph Kyrillos, and let him know the bill's impact on hikers, a constituency that greatly outnumbers hunters.
Write letters to the editor of your local newspaper, including:
The Record (Bergen County, NJ): [email protected]
Visit the news articles linked below and leave your comments on the articles.
- http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2015/01/sunday_hunting_advances_in_new.html
- http://politickernj.com/2015/01/senate-committee-releases-controversial-hunting-bills/
- http://www.northjersey.com/news/nj-senate-committee-approves-bill-to-allow-sunday-hunting-1.1191244
Spread the word. Share these links and this info with your friends, neighbors, and organizations you belong to.
January 12, 2015: The New Jersey Senate Energy and Environment Committee approves a bill that would allow Sunday hunting. The bill is now up for consideration by the full Senate.
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January 12, 2015: New Jersey State Senate approves bill that wou
Full Senate now considering this bill
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